As divers, we have earned the privilege of experiencing the vast, undiscovered world that remains the final frontier of our planet. But a little knowledge does not an expert make. Fortunately there are many books about our underwater world that can help us continue our journey, inspire us and expand our awareness. Books about the ocean and the life within it, wrecks and their histories, how to dive and where to dive; and stories galore, both fiction and nonfiction, define and romanticize our exciting sport.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Sharks Mary L. Peachin This guide, as the name suggests, gives you all the basic information for a healthy introduction to sharks and their behaviors. It describes the categories of sharks, their life cycles and evolution, the research being done on them and their interactions with humans. In every section you'll find quick shark facts, definitions of unfamiliar terms, and shark legends and stories that affect how humans treat encounters with them.

Sea Turtles of the World Doug Perrine

Sea turtles have existed for over 210 million years, but their continued survival is threatened. Sea Turtles of the World focuses on the efforts to save these gentle creatures and provide details about their life cycles and natural history.

Author and photographer Doug Perrine helps the reader understand what led to the turtles' endangerment through descriptions of their evolution and anatomy. Colorful images show these prehistoric-looking creatures in their natural environment and document the attempts to save them. The reader will even find information on where to go to watch sea turtles.

Diving the World Norbert Wu and Ken McAlpine

Diving the World provides crucial information for the traveling diver to over 30 locations around the world. Beautifully illustrated and packed full of must-dive destinations, it is an excellent guide for finding your new favorite locale. It also examines current conservation issues that Norbert Wu has documented through his recent Pew Marine Conservation Fellowship, allowing him to see some of the world's most unique and threatened habitats.

Reefs and Rain Forests Murray S. Kaufman

Reefs and Rain Forests documents the two most fragile environments in Malaysian Borneo with compelling photographs and essays. The richness and biodiversity of the reefs and rain forests are depicted in this book, yet it also gives an insight into the effects of rapid development and the efforts to protect and restore these ecosystems.

Dive England's Greatest Wrecks Rod Macdonald

The English Channel is a natural barrier protecting the island nation from its enemies. Through two world wars and an incredible amount of shipping traffic, it has accumulated its share of wrecks for divers to explore. Rod Macdonald's book aims to serve as a guide to the variety of wreck diving found off England's shores and aid in planning dive trips.

Beneath Philippine Seas Robert Yin

Beneath Philippine Seas is an enticing collection of photographs from underwater photographer Robert Yin. Yin has dived in the Philippines for over 35 years and has witnessed the destruction and rebirth of the fragile reefs in this area. His book documents the diverse life that has returned to these seas after years of blasting and overfishing.

Adventures With Sharks Jonathan Bird

Adventures With Sharks tells the stories of underwater photographer Jonathan Bird, who shares his experiences working with these wild creatures in the open ocean. It is a mix of science and adventure and is accompanied by over 100 of Bird's photographs.

Marine Life of the North Atlantic Canada to New England Andrew J. Martinez

This guidebook to the marine life in the northern Atlantic identifies hundreds of common species found in the waters from the arctic reaches of eastern Canada to southern New England. It gives descriptions as well as colorful photographs in a log-book format that tells you what habitat you're likely to find the species in.

Coral Reefs Cities Under the Sea Richard C. Murphy

The coral cities under the sea parallel the cities where we live in many ways. This book hopes to provide a better understanding of the way a reef functions and in turn help readers learn how to tread more gently on our planet. It explores issues that directly and indirectly affect the health of coral reefs to help us live more sustainably.

Richest Reefs, Indonesia Michael Aw

Michael Aw has traveled the planet as a photographer documenting the underwater world. His latest book, Richest Reefs, documents the pristine and vastly diverse realm of Indonesia's waters. Beautiful photographs and descriptions of the areas where they were taken give the reader an in-depth look at the biodiversity of the Indonesian archipelago's reefs.

Fishy Friends Michael Patrick O'Neill

Fishy Friends is an underwater adventure story told by the creatures that live in the sea. It is geared toward elementary school children and aims to educate them on the need to preserve marine life. Charlie the crab, the cartoon narrator of this tale, can be found on every page next to a photo and first-person description of the problems these creatures face and of the lives they lead that are worth saving.

Naval Forces Under the Sea A Look Back, a Look Ahead Sponsored by the United States Naval Academy and the Office of Naval Research

This book details the historical symposium held at the U.S. Naval Academy that documented the Navy's scientific and technological advancements in diving, special warfare and submarine search and rescue over the past 60 years.

Some of the most daring and dangerous missions of the past century that, until recently only existed in the minds of the participants, were brought to life and preserved in this base of knowledge to pass on to future generations. It also discusses the future of undersea technologies that can build on the accomplishments of the past.

Lost World Rewriting Prehistory -- Hot New Science is Tracing America's Ice Age Mariners Tom Koppel Lost

World is a narrative that details a 10-year quest to uncover evidence of the first people to reach North America. Working against the scientific grain, they use new technologies to map the ocean floor and date artifacts and stones that suggest the first settlers in the New World traveled by boat, skirting small ice-free islands that are now about 400 feet underwater rather than traveling over a land bridge on foot. This book captures the successes and failures of their pursuit to prove a new theory.

Atlas of Australian Dive Sites Keith Hockton

Keith Hockton's guide is full of essential information for diving in Australia, organized by state and territory. It includes 75 maps, 100 color images and an index of sites according to skill level. You'll also find information on equipment and tips for diving each site in this smaller-format traveler's edition.

Fish Face David Doubilet

David Doubilet is an exceptional underwater photographer who has compiled a portrait book of interesting fish and sea creatures during his travels. Fish Face is a collection of these fleeting moments in underwater photography where a fish looks back at you through the lens rather then swimming away into the blue.

Scuba Diver's Travel Companion Jeremy Agnew

This practical handbook features helpful information for choosing the dive destination that is right for your skill level. It profiles destinations in the U.S., Caribbean, Central America, and Pacific and Indian oceans based on the type of diving available as well as what to pack, a pre-dive check list and helpful tips on buoyancy and treating stings.

The Empty Ocean Richard Ellis

The heart-wrenching tales of species hunted into extinction and humanity's continued plunder of the sea are revealed in The Empty Ocean through author Richard Ellis? 30 years of research. This informative and inspiring book tells of the great losses our seas have suffered and how we can help them recover. Ellis is a research associate at the American Museum of Natural History whose words and illustrations aim to open readers? eyes to the destruction of the marine environment and its inhabitants.

Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul

The newest book in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Chicken Soup for the Ocean Lover's Soul shares fascinating tales of the underwater world through first-person accounts. Co-authors Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, journalist Steve Creech and marine artist Wyland feature the works of several famed sea enthusiasts, including explorer and novelist Clive Cussler, marine biologist Dr. Sylvia Earle, discoverer of the R.M.S. Titanic Dr. Robert D. Ballard, and TV personality Jack Hanna.

The book also contains an eight-page color insert of undersea artwork by Wyland. The stories cover all aspects of the soulful sea, from strange midnight encounters with Humboldt squid to heavy seas in Maui, where 65-year-old filmmaker Warren Miller tests the limits of what it means to be a "senior citizen" in a fierce windsurfing expedition. Chicken Soup for the _Ocean Lover's Soul c_ontains more than 70 astonishing true-life stories of the aquatic realm that create a highly entertaining reading experience.

Return to Treasure Island and the Search for Captain Kidd Barry Clifford

Return to Treasure Island and the Search for Captain Kidd weaves two men's stories into one adventurous tale of piracy and exploration. Barry Clifford, author of The Lost Fleet, fields the expedition with The Discovery Channel to find the site of the Adventure Galley, the lost ship of the infamous Captain Kidd. Kidd left a legacy of treachery and treasure that led many to consider his ship the Holy Grail of pirate archeology.

In a harbor off Madagascar's coast that is filled with the wreckage of pirate ships, Clifford embarks on his quest to find the notorious captain's ship while the saga of Kidd's mysterious existence unfolds. The pressure to find the ship among all the wrecks and the resistance from outside groups builds as both tales end in death -- Kidd's and, 300 years later, that of a rival archeologist who attempts to stop Clifford's expedition.

DVDs

Dive South Florida and the Florida Keys, Volume 1

This DVD includes both video and still images of the best places to dive in South Florida. It highlights the nicest hotels and the best attractions. Volume 1 covers Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Key Largo and Islamorada, and will be followed by Volume 2, which will cover everything south to Key West.

The Shipwrecks of St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands -- Volume 1

You'll go 100 feet below the surface in this film to explore the shipwrecks in St. Thomas, including the WIT Shoal. The aircraft gun turrets are still intact on this 327-foot landing ship tank that was used in WWII. For 45 minutes you cruise the blue waters of the USVI and explore its maritime history.

California Lobster Diving, the Video

This 45-minute film takes you on dives in the kelp forests off the northern Channel Islands to hunt for the California spiny lobster. It gives you tips on gear selection, hunting techniques, regulations, locations and more.